Midland ISD is on verge of setting up a health clinic to serve its employees and their families.

During last week’s board meeting, David Garcia, the district’s chief financial officer, told the school board the district has been working with Midland Memorial Hospital to develop a program, such as a walk-in clinic, that will offer services to treat acute illness. Superintendent Ryder Warren told the Reporter-Telegram last year that a clinic concept is a priority.

A clinic, Garcia told the board, will provide an additional benefit to employees and reduce the costs to the Midland ISD health plan. He told the board that preliminary costs of the contract will not exceed $350,000 but the district estimates around $1.2 million in savings.

The clinic will be exclusive to MISD staff, and the hospital district will provide employees for the clinic. District employees will be charged $10 per office visit and no additional claims will be submitted for office visits or medication through the MISD Health Plan, according to the district. During the meeting, the hours of operation mentioned were noon to 8 p.m.

Board gave permission to finalize negotiations through June and July so the clinic can begin operations in August.

“This is a good service to provide to our staff and will reduce the amount of time off the job and reduce the number of substitutes,” Warren said. “We hope it is a win situation for us.”

A location near the sports complex was first mentioned as a possible site for the clinic. At the meeting, though, district officials said they have identified a better location on Louisiana Avenue, near downtown.